infographicPosts

After the overwhelming response from the New York Film Academy’s infographic on gender inequality in film, we decided to touch on another film related topic that deserves a similar debate. Do movies and television influence drug use? Through a narrated videographic, the New York Film Academy brings viewers on a journey through the years, analyzing how film and television has shaped our perception of drugs, as well as its possible effects on the viewing audience.

Enjoy our video below and let us know what you think in the comments below!

Simply put, 2013 was a monumental year in Black cinema with hits like Lee Daniel’s The Butler and The Best Man Holiday and critical darlings such as Fruitvale Station and 12 Years A Slave. However, this is hardly the first time that we’ve seen a glut of diverse and accomplished Black filmmakers emerge, only for Hollywood studios to return to putting out the obligatory two to four films per year aimed at African-American audiences. As the filmmaker Ava DuVernay has stated, “The Hollywood machine has selective amnesia. It’s not like we haven’t gone through a season of robust black image makers before.” In the Black Inequality in Film infographic, the New York Film Academy has charted the history of Black film over the past century while analyzing more recent statistics to assess how Black filmmakers and performers have been represented on screen and behind the camera during the last six years. By classifying “Black Film,” we are referring to movies where the plot revolves around lead characters who are of African descent. The purpose of this infographic is to present some talking points to initiate a discussion on the role of African Americans in Hollywood.

To view the updated Gender Inequality in Film infographic released in 2018, click the banner above.

In light of the record-breaking opening of the female-led action film Hunger Games: Catching Fire this past weekend, the New York Film Academy decided to take a closer look at women in film and what, if any, advancements women are making. After reviewing the data, it is clear that Hollywood remains stuck in its gender bias. Of course, it’s not all disparaging news and there are a number of female filmmakers, characters, and emerging talent challenging the status quo. In addition, in the independent sphere, women made up roughly half of the directors at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, yet still struggle when it comes to films receiving a wide release. By shedding light on gender inequality in film, we hope to start a discussion about what can be done to increase women’s exposure and power in big-budget films.